Gamma II Vaporizes Steel

The LIFE Prometheus team inadvertently vaporized steel using the Gamma II prototype on the 10th of February 2010. The test, which had initially been intended to be the first steel pour using Prometheus solar technology, quickly became the first vaporization of steel when the steel sample was left in the light focus for a couple extra minutes. In the time between determining that the sample was ready to pour and preparing an appropriate sand bed for pouring, the steel completely vaporized. All that was left when the contents of the crucible were dumped out was some slag, the steel had vaporized into thin air.

To read more on metal melting and the temperatures achieved click here.